Mohanlal proposes restriction of other language films
Thursday 31 December 2009

Superstar Mohanlal has suggested restriction in release of foreign and other Indian language films during festival seasons in Kerala. He was pointing to  films `Avtar' (English) and `Vettaikaran' (Tamil), which are running in more than one theatres in a centre, during the X'mas season. He was addressing a meet the press programme organised by Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Wednesday in connection with release of his film `Ividam Swargamanu'.   ``We must regulate the release of films from outside the industry. So that  we can save Malayalam film industry. Many other States are practising it." he added.  In reply to a question that producers Association has fixed the production cost of a Malayalam film to an amount of 3.5 crores and demand to reduce remuneration of artistes including superstars, Mohanlal said,  the production cost and  remuneration of artistes were not the real crisis of Malayalam film industry. Lack of good stories and scripts are real problem. "As a visual medium, cinema demands variant treatment. It demands different requirements. It can not be tied to a fixed amount of production cost.  Good films were produced in such a way. Because, me too a producer. I know  what a good film needs." he said.  "Good stories and scripts are necessary for upcoming actors to establish themselves in the industry. When I entered the industry, I had the luck to work with eminent directors and script writers". he said. His first film  released was `Manjil Virinja Pookkal'  in 1980, by Fazil,  which was a big hit. With the entry of young and talented directors and script writers who were willing to experiment, industry was moving towards a new revolution. He announced that his next film `Cassanova' will be a big budget film.

Speaking about his latest film "Ividam Swargamanu",  Mohanlal said, "it gave me a chance to act in a social satire after a long interval. For the people of Kerala, I am sure it will be an eye-opener."   Roshan Andrews, director of `Ividam Swargamanu' said the film was partially based on his own personal experiences. Years back his father availed a loan from a financial firm by pledging the land and became debtor. Somehow he escaped from that tangle.  "This is a film that every ordinary citizen in Kerala must see because it delves into the issues and conspiracies related to land deals and the land mafia in our State. We have done a lot of research to make this film." Roshan added.

Scenarist  James Albert, actors Sanker, Priyanka and producer Antony Perumbavoor were also present.  Mohanlal said he would act in  two plays next year,  'Ujjaini'  of poet O.N.V. Kurup and a Sanskrit play titled 'Vikramorvasiyam' by Kaavalam Narayana Panicker. He said he was also planning to invite  Amitabh Bachan to do a role in director Major Ravi's next project. He expected that Big-B, despite his busy schedule, would find the time to do a role in the film.